More 'empower' to the people

It's hard to turn on the television or read a newspaper without seeing some kind of coverage about our energy problems. Whether it's the price of gasoline, electricity or natural gas, consumers are understandably upset at the increasing costs. When the Illinois Commerce Commission recently granted ComEd a rate increase to cover higher costs of managing and operating an extensive and reliable electricity distribution system, the usual suspects came out and complained. However, a less-covered, long-term component of the decision could go a long way toward changing the way we all use our electricity and how much we pay utilities like ComEd. Within the ICC approval was funding for a pilot program that will improve the next generation of electri